LONDON — Hot on the heels of the European Commission regulatory authorities' approval of the 60GHz band for unlicensed commercial use, WirelessHD compatible products are beginning to appear in Europe, the consortium backing the technology announced at this week’s IFA congress in Berlin.

The consortium also announced that Philips, STMicroelectronics, NXP Semiconductors, Funai and Yamaha have joined the WirelessHD group, bringing membership to over 40 companies worldwide.

All 27 EU countries have now approved to sell products that use the 9GHz of continuous spectrum within the 60GHz band (57GHz ~ 66GHz).

The 60GHz band is already approved for similar use in North America, the Asia-Pacific region, Brazil, Russia, India and China.

WirelessHD defines a 60 GHz link that delivers up to 4 Gbits/second at distances up to 10 meters. The consortium, launched in 2006 by companies such as Intel Corp., Panasonic, Sony and Toshiba as well as SiBeam, a startup that focuses on silicon for the technology.

The WirelessHD spec will compete with a wide variety of standard and proprietary approaches trying to deliver a wireless link for video to the digital home.

Some of the first WirelessHD products tested against the consortium's Compliance Test Program and displayed at the IFA include Panasonic's Z1 series with WirelessHD technology; LG Electronics’ LH85 and LH95 LCD TVs; Funai Electronic Co., Ltd's WirelessHD Adapter.

At the IFA, Toshiba is also showcasing a WirelessHD Adapter demo.

Additional products from several manufacturers are expected to roll out later this year.

"WirelessHD’s membership momentum and growing product pipeline is a testament to the industry's increasing acceptance of our technology as a strong and viable option for the future of wireless A/V," said John Marshall WirelessHD Chairman.

Philips said it plans to make significant contributions to the WirelessHD specifications and compliance test programs and will be a full voting member of the consortium. “

"The WirelessHD Consortium will benefit from Philips' experience and leadership in standards as well as A/V technology development and broad market expertise," commented Marshall.

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